Automatic roaster



Dec. 27, 1938. J WOQLSEY AL 2,141,586

AUTOMAT IC ROASTER Filed April 19, 1937 6 SheetsSheet 2 fizz anions- A Toz/v-Y3 Jb/f/Vh. WooLJEY FRANK "(CARPENTER .r In

Dec. 27, 1938.

J. K. WOOLSEY ET AL AUTOMATIC ROASTER e Sheets-Sheet 2" Filed April 19, 1937 in wen 07K! K W004 JEY JbH/v FeAN/r W CARPENTER 40AM PA! WM ATTozA/EY:

SUPPLY CIRCUIT 1938- J. K. WOOLSEY EFAL 2,141,536

AUTOMATIC ROASTER Filed April 19, 1937 v 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I [raven 21 0715 56. /5, Jb/YNK W001. 615 Y EQANK WC/YKPENTER ATTOENE Y5 Dec. 27, 1938.

J. K. WOOLSEY 5 AL AUTOMATIC ROASTER' Filed April 19, 1937 6 Sheets-Shea. 6

s z VYEM 6 A? H n EW N 2 m m f mflh 6. v w F f M 3 I I 8 H 5:1: m a w W 0 Z M Patented Dec. 21, 1938 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC ROASTER Application April 19, 1937, Serial No. 137,828

10Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in automatic masters, and more particularly to roasters adapted for roasting peanuts, although it is to be understood that it may be used for other products, where applicable.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic roaster which is electrically operated, and has means for varying the roasting period to suit the condition of the material being roasted.

A further object is to provide a roaster comprising a chamber provided with suitable heating elements and having doors in its upper and lower walls, which doors are so interconnected that when the door in the upper wall of the chamber is opened for the introduction of material therein, the lower doors are automatically closed, and will remain closed when the upper door is closed, and the apparatus is operating, whereby the material will be confined within the chamber during the roasting period, and means being provided for automatically opening the bottom doors at the expiration of the roasting period, whereby the nuts or material is discharged from the oven into a suitable receiving means, positioned therebeneath.

Other objects of the invention reside in the unique arrangement of the agitator within the roasting chamber and the operating means therefor, which is so arranged that when the roasting period terminates, the agitator will come to rest in a position clear of the doors in'the chamber wall, whereby it cannot obstruct the discharge opening of the chamber; in the novel construction of the timing mechanism which controls the operation of the agitator and the heating elements within the roasting chamber, and which is confined within a suitable housing supported on one end of the roaster casing; in the provision of a control member whereby the roasting period may be varied during operation of the roaster; in the operative connection between the operating mechanism and the agitator, whereby when the mechanism is tripped to interrupt the 4:; operation thereof, the agitator will assume a certain position within the oven; and, in the specific construction of the operating mechanism and control means, which are simple and inexpensive in construction, whereby the apparatus may be manufactured. at relatively small cost,

and whereby it requires very little attention on the part of the operator, except to supply material thereto, the mechanism being so constructed that its operation will be automatically interll rupted after a predeterminedtime interval, do

P nding upon the adjustment of the control means, and whereby the roasted contents of the chamber are automatically discharged therefrom.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying 5 drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be 10 understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings: 15

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line l--l of Figure 2, showing the general construction of the apparatus;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the agitator within the 20 cylinder, and also showing in full and dotted lines, the open and closed positions of the doors at the bottom of the cylinder;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line H of Figure 1, showing the driving mechanism; 25

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, showing the door operating mechanism;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, showing the driving clutch; 30

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 5;

Figure! is a detail sectional view on the line 1-1 of Figure 9, showing the parts in inoperative position; 3

Figure 8 is a similar view on the. line 8-8 of Figure 9, showing the parts in operative positions;

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view on the line 9-8 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view on the line lO-lll of Figure '7;-

Figure 11 is a detail sectional view on the line ll--Il of Figure 7;

Figure 12 is a detail sectional view of the ad- 45 justing mechanism on a larger scale;

Figure 13 is a view showing a dial for varying the timing of the apparatus; and

Figure 14 is a wiring diagram. 4 The novel apparatus herein disclosed, is shown comprising a suitable casing 2, the outer wall I of which extends downwardly and is secured to a base plate I mounted on suitable blocks or feet 5. An opening 6 is provided in the casing wall I to receive a suitable drawer I arrangedto receive the roasted contents of roasting chamber I0, defined by the walls of the cylinder 2.

The casing 2 is shown provided in its upper portion with a door 8, hinged at 9 and having a suitable hand grip whereby it may be conveniently opened or closed.

A suitable opening I2 is provided in the bottom of the casing 2, through which the roasted peanuts are discharged into the drawer 1. A pair of doors 13 are hinged at M to the wall of the casing 2, and are arcuately formed so that when in closed position, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 2, they will complete the cylindrical wall of the interior of the roasting chamber. The doors I 3 are preferably provided with marginal flanges l5, which stiffen the doors and provide abutment surfaces for the doors, when in closed position.

Means is provided for operatively connecting the upper door 8 to the lower doors |3 whereby when the upper door is opened, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2, the lower doors will automatically close, as also indicated in dotted lines in this figure. By so arranging the doors when the upper door is opened for the introduction of peanuts or other material into the roasting chamber It the lower doors will always be closed, whereby the unroasted peanuts will not discharge into the drawer 1.

The means provided for thus operatively connecting together the upper and lower doors is best illustrated in Figure 4, and comprises a pair of links l6, each having one end connected to arm l1 secured to the pivot rods M of the doors l3. The opposite end of the links I6 are connected to a block |8, slidably supported on the upper end of a rod 9. The block |8 bears against the upper end of a suitable spring 2|, coiled about the rod I9, and whose lower end is supported on a suitable nut 22, received in threaded engagement with the rod |9. A spring 23 has one end con nected to the lowerend of the rod l9 and its opposite end to the base 4, by a suitable bolt or screw 24. The spring 23 constantly urges the rod IS in a downward direction to close the upper door 8 and open the lower doors I3.

The upper end of the rod l9 has a pivot 25 connecting it to one end of an arm 26 secured to a shaft 21 supported in a suitable bearing, shown in Figure 10. A connecting rod 28 has its lower end connected to the pivot 25 and its upper end slidably supported in a guide 29, pivotally secured to an arm 3|, secured to one end of the pivot rod or shaft 9 of the upper door 8. As best illustrated in Figure 3, the upper end of the rod 28 is provided with a head or a collar 32, which slides in the bore in the guide 29 and limits the relative movement of the rod 28 in the guide 29. The slidable connection between the guide 29 and the rod 28 permits the upper door 8 to be opened and closed independently of the lower doors I3, when the lower doors are in closed position. When the lower doors are in open position, as shown in full lines in Figure 2 and dotted lines in Figure 4, the collar or head 32 of the rod 28 will engage the abutment 33 at the lower end of the guide 29. whereby, when the upper door is opened, an upward pull is exerted on the rod 28, thereby to effect the closing of the lower doors l3, as will be readily understood by reference to Figures 3 and 4.

The novel apparatus, as herein disclosed, is adapted for electrical operation, and is shown comprising a pair ofsuitable heating elements, generally indicated by the numeral 34. These heating elements are mounted in sockets 35 secured to the end walls of the roasting chamber ID, as best illustrated in Figure l. The walls of the chamber l0 are suitably insulated, as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, whereby the heat is retained within the cylinder.

A suitable agitator, generally indicated by the numeral 30, is shown mounted within the chamber l0, and comprises blades 36 secured to the outer terminals of arms 31 which, in turn, are secured to a suitable shaft 38. The agitator 30 constantly agitates the contents of the chamber I0, during the roasting period, whereby all of the peanuts or nuts in the mass of material are uniformly roasted. The blades 36 of the agitator are preferably shaped, as best illustrated in Figure 2, whereby they thoroughly agitate the nuts in the lower portion of the chamber.

The means provided for operating the agitator 30 is best illustrated in Figures 7 to 9, inclusive, and comprises a suitable driving mechanism, shown enclosed within an oil-tight housing, generally indicated by the numeral 4|. The housin 4| comprises back and front sections 42 and 43, respectively, suitably secured together in leakproof relation by bolts 43'. The back section 42 is provided with suitable lugs 44 adapted to be seated against the adjacent end wall 45 of the cylinder 2 and secured thereto by bolts 46.

A shaft 41 is mounted in the housing 4| and has one end connected to the adjacent end of the agitator shaft 38 by a suitable universal coupling 48. A worm gear 49 is also secured to the shaft 41 and meshes with a worm wheel 5|, secured to the upper end of a threaded shaft 52, having reduced end portions 53 and 54 received in suitable bearings 55 and 56, respectively, shown provided on the front section 43 of the housing 4|, as best illustrated in Figure 9. Because of the threaded shaft 52 being operatively connected to the shaft 41 by the gears 49 and 5|, it is rotated synchronously therewith, when the shaft 41 is operated.

The driving means for the shaft 41 is shown comprising a pinion 51 secured to one end of a shaft 58. This pinion meshes with a gear 60 keyed to the shaft 41. The shaft 58 is shown rotatably supported in a hub 59, mounted for rotary adjustment in a bearing 6| provided in the front section 43 of the housing 4|. Suitable means, not shown, is provided for securing the hub 59 in adjusted position. A worm gear 62 is secured to the reduced terminal 63 of the shaft 58, and meshes with a worm 64 secured to the upper end of a short shaft 65, mounted in suitable bearings provided in a small housing, generally indicated by the numeral 66. The housing 66 encloses the worm wheel 62 and worm 64, as best illustrated in Figures 3 and 9, and is shown inte grally formed with the hub 59. The housing 66 has a removable cover 66'.

The shaft has a clutch collar 69 secured thereto by a suitable screw 1|. A supplemental clutch member 12 is mounted for relative rotation on the reduced terminal 13 of the shaft 65, and has a spring element 14 secured thereto by a screw 15. The free end of the spring element 14 is preferably shaped as shown in Figure 6, and engages a notch 16 provided in the periphery of the clutch collar 69. A flexible member 11 connects the coupling member 12 to the shaft 18 of a suitable motor 19, shown mounted on brackets 8|, supported on the base 4, as best illustrated in Figure 3. The spring element 14 and notch 16 provide the driving connection between the clutch members 69 and 12, and are so designed that under normal operation of the apparatus, the two clutch members rotate as a'unit. Should an over-load be imposed on the agitator or driving mechanism, the spring element 14 will permit relative rotation between the two clutch members, whereby damage to the parts is avoided.

The walls 3 of the roasting chamber I8 extend beyond the end wall of the cylinder, and are secured to a removable end wall 58, which cooperates with the adjacent ends of the walls 3, to provide a chamber 18 for housing the driving mechanism, as clearly illustrated in Figure 1. A suitable vent hole 88 is provided in the end wall 45 of the roasting chamber I8, and establishes communication between the chambers I0 and I8. The chamber I8 is also provided with suitable vent openings 98 and I88, in its'upper and lower walls, respectively, as shownlin Figure l, to permit limited air circulation throughthe chamber I8.

Means is provided for automatically controlling the operation of the apparatus, whereby, aftera predetermined period, the operation of the entire apparatus will be automatically interrupted, including the cutting oif of the supply of current to the heating elements 34.

The means provided for thus automatically controlling the operation of the apparatus, is shown comprising what may be termed a split nut 82, provided on a slide 83 mounted for sliding movement on a pivoted bar 84. The bar 84 is supported by a shouldered stud 85 secured to its upper end and rotatably supported in a bearing 86 provided in the front section 43 of the housing H, as best illustrated in Figure 10. A short rod or pin 81 is shown secured to the upper end of the bar 84, and has an offset end portion- 88 supported between 2. pair of flexible contacts 89 and 9 I,' secured in insulated relation to the wall portion 92 of the front section 43 of the housing, as best illustrated in Figure 8. The offset end portion 88 of the rod 81' is suitably insulated, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. When the bar 84 is in the. position shown in Figure 8, the oifset portion 88 of the rod 81 will be so positioned that the contacts 89 and 9| are in circuit closing position, When the bar 84 is swung outwardly to the position shown in Figure '7, the end portion 88 of the rod 81 will engage the contact 89 and thereby move it out of electrical engagement with the contact 9 I, for reasons which will subsequently be described.

Means is provided for locking the bar 84 in operative position, as shown in Figure 8, and comprises a suitable latch 93, secured to a shaft 94 provided with an arm.95 located exteriorly of the housing H, as best illustrated in Figures 3 and 9. One end of a rod 96 is secured to the arm 95, and its opposite end is guidingly supported in an aperture provided in the housing of the apparatus, as illustrated at 91 in Figure 3. A hand grip 98 is secured to the outer end of the rod 96, whereby it may be conveniently operated to move the latch member 93 out of engagement with the bar 84, as will be readily understood by reference to Figure 8.

Means is provided for automatically actuating the latch member 93 to effect the release of the bar 84, after a predetermined time interval. To thus automatically operate the latch, the slide 83 is shown provided with a downwardly extending finger 99, adapted to engage one end of a pivoted member I8I mounted on the latch member 93, when the slide 83 approaches the limit of its downward movement, as best illustrated in Figure 8. When the finger 99 engages the member I III the latch 93 is moved downwardly until the shoulder I82 thereof moves out of engagement with the lower end of the bar 84, whereupon the latter is swung outwardly to the position shown in Figure 7 The means for outwardly moving the bar 84 from the position shown in Figure 8, to that shown in Figure 7, is shown comprising a rod I83 having its lower end pivotally connected to the slide 83 and its upper end to an arm I84, shown pivotally supported upon a shouldered stud I85 secured to the front section 43 of the housing 4|, as best shown in Figure 9. A suitable spring I86 has one end secured to the arm I84, as shown at I81, and its opposite end suitably secured to the stud I85, whereby said spring constantly exerts an upward force on the arm I84, whereby when the latch 93 is operated to release the bar 84, said spring will move the slide 83 upwardly to a predetermined position, depending upon the adjustment of the timing mechanism, subsequently to be described. A small spring I88 constantly tends to move the latch member 93 upwardly into engagement with the end of the bar 84.

Means is provided, whereby the interruption or complete stopping of the apparatus is brought about only when the agitator is substantially in the position shown in Figure 2. This is desirable, in that it eliminates the possibility of the agitator blades coming to rest over the receiving and discharge openings of the cylinder, or in a position where a portion of the peanuts are prevented from discharging into the drawer 7. To thus prevent the agitator from coming to rest over the openings in the cylindrical wall, a control bar I89 is mounted for limited vertical movement on studs III seeuredlto the front section 43 of the housing M, as best illustrated in Figure 11. The upper end portion N2 of the control bar I89 is offset, as shown in Figure 11, and is adapted to be engaged by a roller I I3 secured to the gear 68. The roller I I3 is so positioned on the gear 68 with respect to the agitator 38, that'when the agitator reaches the position shown in Figure 2, the control bar I89 Will engage the pivoted member I8I and depress the latch 93 sufliciently to release the bar 84, whereupon the apparatus immediately comes to rest.

It is to be understood that the control bar I89 has no effect upon the latch 93, until the finger 99 of the split nut 82 engages the adjacent end of the pivoted member I8I, as illustrated in Figure 8. When the finger 99 thus engages the adjacent end of the pivoted member I M and depresses it, the opposite end of the member I8I will be elevated, whereby the control bar I89 will be elevated to the position shown in Figure 8, wherein its upper end H2 is positioned in the path of the roller II3. As the roller passes over the end II2 of the bar I89, said bar will be thrust downwardly, whereby the latch member will be moved downwardly out of engagement with the bar 84 by pressure against the elevated end of the pivoted member IN, by the control bar I89, it being understood that the opposite end of the member IN is held against upward movement by reason of its engagement with the finger 99 of the split nut 82. When the roller H3 is in the position shown in Figure 7, the agitator will be substantially in the position shown in Figure 2. It is to be further understood that the downward travel of H thenut 82 is relatively slow, as compared to the 52, before the latch 93 has been operated by the control bar I09 to release the bar 84.

The means provided for adjusting or varying the length of the operating period of the roaster, is shown comprising a suitable dial H4 and a finger knob H5 having a pointer II6 which cooperates with means on the dial for indicating the length of the roasting period. The knob H5 is secured to one end of a shaft I I1 rotatably supported in a bearing I I8 provided in a wall of the casing, as best illustrated in Figure 3. A coupling sleeve II 9 is secured to the inner end of the shaft H1 and has a universal connection I2I with a similar sleeve I22 secured to one end of a short shaft I23, shown mounted in a bearing I24 provided in the front section 43 of the housing 4i, as best illustrated in Figure 8. A suitable collar I25 may be provided on the shaft I24 to prevent axial movement thereof.

A pinion I26 is secured to the inner end of the shaft I23 and meshes with a rack I21 slidably mounted in a guide I28, shown provided in the housing M and preferably secured in position therein by suitable screws I29 and a dowel pin I3I. The rack I21 is shown provided with a socket I32 comprising a spring I33, to one end of which engages an abutment plug I34, which normally projects below the lower end of the rack bar I21, as best illustrated in Figure 12.

The arm I04, shown in Figures 7 and 8, carries a. pin I35, which is adapted to abuttingly engage the abutment plug I34 of the rack bar, as illustrated in Figure 12,.when the bar 84 is released from the latch 93 and the arm I 04 is swung upwardly to the position shown in Figure '1, by the spring I06. It will thus be noted, by reference to Figures 7, 10, and 12, that the position of the lower end of the rack bar I21 determines the length of travel of the split nut 82 upon the bar 84. For example, when the rack bar I21 is positioned as shown in Figure '7, and the bar 84 is released, the split nut 82 will be moved upwardly from the position shown in Figure 8, to that shown in Figure '7, by the spring I06, and will come to rest in the position shown in Figure '1, because of the pin I35 engaging the yieldably mounted plug I34 at the lower end of the rack bar. By relatively rotating the shaft I I1 by manipulation of the finger grip I I5, the rack bar I21 is vertically adjusted in the guide I28, and because of its engagement with the pin I35 of the arm I04, thus limits the upward travel of the split nut 82 on the bar 84 when the nut is released from the threaded shaft 52.

As best illustrated in Figures '1 and 8, the doors 8 and I3 are operatively connected to the bar 84 by means of an arm I36 secured to the shaft 21 to which the arm 26 of the door connecting mechanism is secured. A pin I31 is secured to the outer end of the arm I36 and is received in a slot I38 provided in the bar 84. The arm I35 is so arranged on the shaft 21 that when the lower doors are in closed position and the arm 26 is in the position indicated in dotted lines in Figures 3 and 8, the bar 84 is moved into operative engagement with the latch 93, whereby the split nut 82 is operatively associated with the threaded shaft 52.

From the foregoing, it will thus be noted that the bar 84 is so interconnected with the doors that when the lower doors are swung into closed position, the bar 84 is automatically moved into operative position, as shown in Figure 8, and conversely, when the lower doors are opened, the

arm I36 will swing the bar 84 to its inoperative position, shown in Figure 7.

The electrical connections between the various electric elements are diagrammatically illustrated in Figures 3 and 14, in which it will be noted that the contacts 89 and 3|, passing through the wall 32 of the housing 4|, and having terminal posts I39 and HI, are disposed exteriorly of the casing M. A wire I42 leads from the terminal post I39 to one side of the motor and a similar wire I43 connects the post I to the post I40 of a suitable control switch, generally indicated by the numeral I44. The control switch, as best illustrated in Figure 3, is provided with an operating handle I45, whereby it may be operated in the usual manner. The other side of the motor 19 is connected by a wire I46 to the contact I50 of the control switch, and a wire I41 leads from the contact I50 to the contact I48 of one of the heating elements 34, as best illustrated in Figure 14. The other terminal I49 of the heating element 34 is connected by a wire I5I to the terminal post I38 of the fiexiblecontact 89. The two heating elements 34 are shown connected in parallel by suitable wires I52 and I53. The current is supplied to the control switch I44 from a supply circuit, generally indicated by the numeral I54, which is connected to a suitable source of electric current.

Operation In the operation of this novel apparatus, the material to be toasted such, for example, as peanuts or other nuts, is delivered into the chamber or oven I 0, through the opening provided in the upper portion thereof, when the door 8 is opened to the dotted line position, shown in Figure 2. When the door 8 is in open position, the lower doors I3 are closed, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 2, and as previously described. Before starting the apparatus, the timing dial knob H5 is adjusted to the desired time interval, which adjustment relatively adjusts the position of the limit stop I34 of the rack I21, with respect to the arm I04. Such adjustment of the limit stop I34 limits the upward movement of the split nut 82 as will readily be understood by reference to Figure '1 which, in turn, controls the length of travel of the nut 82 on the threaded shaft 52. In other words, the position of the nut 82 on the bar 84, when the roasting operation is started, determines the length of the roasting period. When the rack is moved upwardly, the roasting period is lengthened and conversely, when it is moved downwardly, the arm I04 is swung downwardly, thereby moving the nut 82 downwardly on the bar 84, whereby its length of travel on the shaft 52 is shortened. Thus, the length of the roasting period may be conveniently varied to suit conditions by simply rotating the finger knob II5 with respect to the dial II4. For convenience, the figures indicated on the dial I I4 may represent minutes.

As previously stated, when the bottom doors I3 are swung into closed position, the bar 84, because of its connection with said doors through the crank pin I31, will be swung into the full line position shown in Figure 8, whereby the split nut 82 is engaged with the shaft 52. As shown in Figure '7, as long as the bar 84 is in its inoperative position, the contacts 89 and ill will be in circuit opening position, whereby the supply of current to the motor and heating elements is cut off, regardless of the position of the control switch I44. The bar 84 must therefore be in its operative position, as shown in Figure 8, and the doors l3 must be closed before current can be supplied to the motor and heating elements by closing the control switch I44.

The roasting period is automatically interrupted when the roller I I3 engages the upper end of the slide I09, as shown in Figure 7, and the split nut 82 reaches substantially the limit of its downward movement, whereby the depending finger 99 of the nut 82 engages the adjacent end of the pivoted member IUI, and thus makes it possible for the bar I09 to move the latch out of engagement with the bar 84, when said bar N19 is depressed by the roller H3. When the bar 84 is thus released from the latch 93, the bottom doors will automatically swing open, and at the same instant, the bar 84 is swung outwardly to the position shown in Figure 7, thereby causing the contacts 89 and 9| to open and cut off the supply of current to the motor and heating elements. Immediately upon release of the bar 84 from the latch 93, the slide 83 carrying the split nut 82 will be moved upwardly upon the bar 84 by the spring I06 acting on the arm )4, in position for the next cycle of operation.

We claim as our invention:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, a chamber having hinged doors on opposite sides thereof, one through which material may be introduced into the chamber, and the other providing a discharge for the material inthe chamber, means for interconnecting said doors whereby, when one is opened to permit the introduction of material into the chamber, the other is automatically closed, and means whereby one of said doors may be opened or closed independently of the other without breaking the operative connection between said doors.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a housing forming a roasting chamber, means for heating said chamber, a pair of doors in-the bottom wall of the chamber, a door in the upper wall thereof, an operative connection between the upper door and said lower doors, whereby when the upper door is opened, the lower doors are automatically closed, and a slip-joint in said connection permitting the upper door to be opened or closed independently of the lower doors, when the lower doors are closed.

3. In an apparatus of the class describedpa housing comprising a roasting chamber, means for heating said chamber, oppositely disposed doors in the lower wall of the chamber, a door in the upper wall thereof, means operatively connecting together said lower and upper doors, whereby whenth upper door is opened, the lower doors, if open, are closed, and means whereby the upper door may be opened or closed independently of the lower doors.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, a housing having a roasting chamber therein, heating elements in said chamber, interconnected doors in the bottom wall of the chamber, a door in the upper wall thereof, an agitator in the chamber, and time controlled means for operating said agitator and lower doors, including a pair of contacts, and means whereby the bottom doors are automatically opened after a predetermined time -interval to permit the contents to discharge from the chamber.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, a

' housing comprising a plurality of insulated walls defining a roasting chamber, heating means in the chamber, doors in the bottom wall of said chamber, a door in an upper wall thereof, an agitator in the chamber, driving means for operating the agitator, a timing mechanism associated with said driving means and adapted to interrupt operation thereof and automatically open said bottom doors, after a predetermined time interval, and means associated with said driving means and rendered operable by opening of the lower doors, thereby to cause the agitator to come to rest in a predetermined position with respect to the discharge opening.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a housing having a roasting chamber therein, heating elements in said chamber, an agitator, means for driving the agitator comprising a time controlled mechanism including a pair of contacts, a threaded shaft, and means made operable by said shaft to effect opening of said contacts, after a predetermined time interval, thereby to interrupt operation of the agitator.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, a housing having a roasting chamber therein, heating elements in said chamber, a discharge opening in a wall of the chamber provided with suitable doors, means for retaining the doors in closed position, an agitator, means for driving the agitator comprising a time controlled mechanism including a pair of contacts, a threaded shaft, and means made operable by rotation of said shaft to effect opening of said contacts, after a predetermined time interval, thereby to interrupt operation of the agitator, said shaft-operated means simultaneously causing the release of said door retaining means, whereby the doors may open to permit the contents of the chamber to discharge therefrom.

8. In an apparatus of the classdescribed, a housing comprising a roastingchamber having a door in its upper wall through which the material to be roasted may be introduced, a door in the bottom wall of the chamber, means operatively connecting together said doors, whereby when the upper door is opened, the bottom door is closed, heating elements in the chamber, an agitator in said chamber, a motor for driving the agitator, an electric circuit for the heating elements and said motor, a switch in said circuit, a timing mechanism comprising a threaded shaft associated with said driving means, and a pivoted member operatively associated with said switch and adapted to be actuatedby rotation of said shaft, after a predetermined time interval, whereby said pivoted member is automatically moved to an inoperative position, thereby to effect opening of said switch, whereby operation of the entire apparatus is automatically interrupted.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, a housing comprising a plurality of insulated walls defining a roasting chamber, a receiving opening in a wall of said chamber provided with a suitable door, a discharge opening in the lower wall of the chamber, oppositely disposed doors for closing said discharge opening, heating elements in the chamber, an agitator also in the chamber, a driving mechanism for the agitator, a switch for controlling the operation of said driving mechanism and said heating elements, a time controlled mechanism for controlling the operation of said driving mechanism, said time controlled mechanism comprising a threaded shaft, a pivoted member, a slide movable on said pivoted member and adapted to operatir ely engage said threaded shaft, whereby said slide is longitudinally moved in one direction on the pivoted member, and a latch for retaining the pivoted member in operative relation with respect to said shaft, and means operated by said driving mechanism for actuating said latch to release the pivoted member, after a predetermined time interval, whereby said pivoted member will effect opening of said switch and interruption of the entire apparatus.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, a housing comprising a plurality of insulated walls defining a roasting chamber, a receiving opening in a wall of said chamber provided with a suitable door, a discharge opening in the lower wall of the chamber, oppositely disposed doors for closing said discharge opening, heating elements in the chamber, an agitator also in the chamber, a driving .mechanism for the agitator, a switch for controlling the operation of said driving mechanism and said heating elements, a threaded shaft, 9. pivoted member, a slide movable on said pivoted member and adapted to operatively engage said threaded shaft, whereby said slide is longitudinally moved in one direction on the pivoted member, a latch for retaining the pivoted member in operative relation with respect to said shaft, means operated by said driving mechanism for actuating said latch to release the pivoted member, aiter a predetermined time interval, whereby said pivoted member will eifect opening of said switch and interruption of the entire apparatus, and means whereby said agitator will come to rest in a position to clear the discharge opening of the chamber.

JOHN K. WOOLSEY.

FRANK W. CARPENTER. 

